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President Signs Bill Awarding $814 Million to Development of Green Vehicle Technology

 
1,187 views Nov 3, 2009

Barack Obama

Barack Obama

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Makers of green cars can rejoice as the President has signed the 2010 energy budget bill into law giving green car development one of the largest boosts in funding seen in decades.  The bill includes $814 million in funding for several alternative propulsion programs.

$283 million in funding will go towards fuel cell research and the use of hydrogen fuels.  The bill restores over $100 million in funding for automotive specific hydrogen fuel cell development, funding that Energy Secretary Chu has proposed cutting.  According to Chu, fuel cell personal transportation vehicles are not viable and will not be for the next 15 to 20 years.

Automakers and fuel cell proponents made numerous assurances to Chu and claim to be able to market a commercially acceptable fuel cell vehicle within the next 6 years.  The newly signed bill will give them funding to continue research and hopefully reach their goals.

The bill also includes funding for vehicle electrification programs, advanced ICE projects and bio-fuel development.  The bill's passing is celebrated by many trade groups, lobbyists, and additional companies who work with various alternative propulsion technologies.

If all goes as planned, the 2010 energy bill will assist automakers, developers, researchers and suppliers to achieve the goal of producing greener, cleaner, more efficient vehicles in the years ahead.

Source:  Edmunds.com





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Comments (6)

  1. By Jason M. Hendler Posted: 11/3/2009 7:48am PST

    This is good policy. We've already seen that Toyota, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha are rolling out FCV cars and two wheelers. Suzuki is using GM's fuel cell stacks, so they are helping us gain entry into the Japanese market. We need to maintain our position.
     
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  2. By iRoc Posted: 11/3/2009 9:31am PST

    A bill that disallows the use of patents to suppress technology would allow NiMH batteries to power PHEVs. All the current hybrids would immediately be able to expand their battery only capacity to more than 2 minutes, the current restriction imposed by Cobasys and Chevron.
    Come on Mr. President, don't you think this has gone on long enough?
     
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  3. By omnimoeish Posted: 11/3/2009 9:33am PST

    "Automakers and fuel cell proponents made numerous assurances to Chu and claim to be able to market a commercially acceptable fuel cell vehicle within the next 6 years."
    When have I heard that before? I don't think it's the fuel cell that Chu is worried about, it's the trillions it would cost for the infrastructure.
     
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  4. By DC Posted: 11/3/2009 9:40am PST

    I was of the impression that the americans were dialing back the money for the hydrogen hoax. It looks like they lobbyists have once again, managed to keep the scam financed(at taxpayer expense of course). Expect most of this money to end up in hands of the fossil-fuel energy corps-ICE-auto companies regardless of its stated intent. Someone needs to tell Chu a 2nd or 3rd generation NimH battery would essentially solve your problem. The solution has been available for over a decade, yet the US and others persist in chasing barely viabale "alternatives". Intentiionally wasting time and money we dont have.
     
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  5. By Noel Park Posted: 11/3/2009 4:18pm PST

    Right or wrong, it's still a lot better than squandering the $$$ on wars to "protect" our oil supplies.
     
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  6. By DrunkMike Posted: 11/3/2009 5:23pm PST

    @ iRoc - Give the talk about Chevron and Cobasys an effen break
    A) Chevron no longer owns Cobasys or the Transportation Patents related to NiMH
    B) NiMH is very much 2006 - its dead - it is a legacy technology at this point...
     
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